Page 69 of Rise of the Melody
“Wait,” Chrystamos said. “You don’t think his uncle had anything to do with this, do you? That’s crazy.” He didn’t sound judgmental, necessarily, but was definitely waving his MacCray fanboy flag.
I thought about what Zar had said…about his dad and my aunt standing side-by-side on that island. My stomach became a pit of snakes as I shook my head.
“No. I really have no idea what I’m looking for. Just any possible explanations for this.”
“How about this,” said Teague. “My uncle is at a board meeting for the town. They usually last a couple hours. Let me run home and see what I can do. I think I know where he hides the key to the library. And we’ll meet back at the coffee shop this afternoon.”
We all agreed. I got another round of hugs before they left. I sat next to my aunt and held her hand while I leaned my head on the bed and tried to manifest good thoughts in my thundercloud mind.
Cack-cack!
I turned to the window, and sure as heck…there was the freaking eagle. I’d come to subconsciously lump him together with Zar, though I couldn’t explain why. So, when I saw the bird, rage rose up. I jumped from the chair and lunged for the window, shouting, “Get away!” The eagle flew off and I yanked the curtain down. I sat again, and it took a while for my pulse to calm.
After an hour I kissed Aunt Lorna’s forehead and whispered, “I’m going to figure this out. I’ll be back soon.” I left the hospital and walked into town. Thankfully it wasn’t far, and it was all downhill with a sidewalk.
I forced myself to walk, even though I felt like running, because I didn’t want to be all sweaty. Maybe I would run home tonight. I didn’t even like running but I need to release some of this tension.
I met the others and ordered a hot green tea with honey. Teague was the only one not there. We waited quietly, a buzz of apprehension building between our group. Finally, he burst through the doors, face flushed, rushing to us and sliding into his seat with his phone already out.
“I got it!”
“Yes!” I moved closer, our arms pressed together as he opened the image. He smelled so nice, even with a hint of sweat. The others piled in, Chrys leaning over the table as if he could read upside down.
The language was old, and I realized with a pang that it wasn’t in English.
“I think it’s Gaelic.” My hopes sank.
“I speak Gaelic,” Teague said. “Top of my class.”
“Show off,” Clare muttered. “Well, here’s your chance to shine.” She tapped his phone. “Read it.”
“Okay.” His eyes scrunched as he enlarged the image and stared. “I can read Gaelic, but this old cursive-calligraphy is hard.” My leg bounced as I sat waiting, trying to be patient. “Got it. The top line says: Spell of Forgetting.” He looked at me as goosebumps rose on my skin.
“Oh, my God,” I whispered.
“What is it?” Clare asked, sounding ready to burst.
I looked up, my eyes blurred, my skin prickling. “I think someone spelled my aunt to forget something.”
Everyone gasped and sat back in shock.
“That’s really dark,” Teague said. “Like, I would have no idea how to do that.”
“What else does it say?” I asked Teague.
He focused again, muttering to himself.
“It looks like memories can be blocked, but not erased. And it can cause pain if the person tries to remember.” My heart was pounding as his eyes rapidly scanned. I tried to be patient as he figured it out and went on. “And the only person who can remove the block is the one who placed it.”
“Like a hex,” I said.
“Great Gaia,” Clare whispered. “This is bad. Who would do that to your aunt? And why?”
I nearly dropped my drink with my shaking hands as I set it on the table. If what Zar said was true, my aunt had really been there…and somebody hid that memory from her. But why? What had she done? Or witnessed? Clearly one person knew. The one who’d been standing next to her. A powerful druid.
My teeth clenched. Freaking Mayor MacCray.
It wasn’t like I could bust into his home demanding answers. I looked down at my cuff. I mean…I could….
